ALAMOGORDO – The final road closed signs, detour signs and construction barricades are gone from Florida Avenue and First Street.

Construction crews reopened the intersection Friday afternoon to the delight of business owners and city officials.

Alamogordo Mayor Richard Boss said he was impressed with the outcome of the realignment project.

“It’s nice,” Boss said. “It’s much nicer than it was before. I am pleased with it. I had a chance to drive through the intersection Sunday. It is nice.”

He said he believes the realignment of the intersection turned out better than he envisioned it would.

“I had seen the design plans for the intersection,” Boss said. “I like better than the roundabout design that was turned down by city officials prior to me becoming mayor. The roundabout was cheaper but I like how everything turned out. I am glad how everything turned out.”

Prior to the completion of the realignment of Florida at First, motorists traveling in either direction on Florida had to make a left-hand turn then immediately turn right at First Street to continue driving on Florida Avenue.

“It’s much safer now,” Boss said. “When you’re traveling south now and you want to make a left-hand turn, you have the traffic light there. So many people would turn right then make a U-turn. That was a safety. It’s much better now.”

Project Manager Nancy Beshaler said the roadway is open but work crews still have to pave over Daylight Donuts front area and some cleanup work to do.

“We’re also going to do a little bit of work in the Civic Center parking lot,” Beshaler said. “It was part of the project. Getting the road open was the main priority.”

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Two vehicles wait for the light to turn green at Florida Avenue and First Street. The city reopened the intersection Friday.(Photo: Duane Barbati/Daily News)

The project was supposed to be completed in November 2017 but weather and other unforeseen issues delayed the project.

“We had a little bit of underground utility delay,” Beshaler said. “Most of it was weather with all the rain in the summer months really held them back during the monsoon season. We haven’t got the final payout application but it was contracted for $3.2 million for the construction that doesn’t include the design costs. There will not be any over runs for the project. The project will finish within budget.”

She said she is pleased with the finished project.

“It turned out really nice,” Beshaler said. “The contractor Mesa Verde did a nice job with it. I haven’t heard of any negative reports. I’ve been through there a couple of times and traffic seemed to be flowing really well. I am very happy with how it looks and turned out.”

Boss said the construction delays were due to unforeseen weather conditions.

“The delays were caused mostly by weather. It was during the monsoon when the rain came through,” he said. “It literally tore material that they had put down and tore it off the road. When then rain stopped then the ground was too wet to do anything for a while.”

Boss said he wanted residents to know that the old bowling alley foundation was also removed.

“During the project, we had the remnants of the old bowling alley removed,” he said. “We had the foundation and footings removed. It was a big job. I thought that was a real plus. Now it makes the land more viable for potential sale down the road or possible use by the city at some point. We’re not contemplating anything right now. When you have a slab, it’s a worthless piece of property. Now it has value.”

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Vehicles travel through the intersection at First Street and Florida Avenue Monday. The city reopened the intersection
Friday afternoon.(Photo: Duane Barbati/Daily News)

Discount Pools and Spas owner Gary Anderson said he believes they did a good job.

“I am elated to see it finally done,” Anderson said. “It took some time. Business did slow down due to the construction because of the hurdles to get to the businesses in Granada Shopping Center. I got to drive through it on my way to church Saturday night. It’s a beautiful sight. I think their traffic flow is going to be much cleaner and probably a lot less accidents happening on Florida and First Street.”